by Cpl. Robert L. Cook
Jan. 42~Sept. 45
When I close my eyes at night
I often see familiar sights
Of skies of blue and sun bright
Of trees and beaches black or white
Where we charged
With all our might
We thought we'd set
The world aright,
'Twas not to be.
For soon the call
Did sound again
Called us back
To that great din
Of smoke and sound
And shot and shell
Another trip
Through
Vicious hell.
And so we went.
Another time, another place
Yet familiar
To our face
The game's the same
We can't deny
To kill them all
Before we die.
Take the land
Call it our own
Make them suffer
And atone
For dire deeds
They did commit
Upon their own
And we.
God grant us power
To face the foe
To win the hour
That cost so,
Let no man falter
At the wheel
Maintain the drive
And the zeal,
Bring us home
Whole and well,
In peace and safety
Let us dwell.
* * *
About the author: Robert Cook served with Reg. Weapons Co.(2d-2d) from 1942~44, at Guadalcanal
and Tarawa, during a 33-month overseas tour.
